First Weekend

Whew, long weekend....

Saturday, after a lounge around the porch, we decided to go see La Zona Colonial (The Colonial Zone) on the far side of Santo Domingo. In my past trip, we took taxis for $5 each way. This time, Aldo and I hoofed it down to the main boulevard and caught a carro publico (public car) to the next major intersection. The public cars only cost 20 pesos per person, about 60 cents all told. The downside is we shoved 5 people into the back of a honda civic in the mid-day heat. Another 20 pesos got us on a gua-gua (public bus) to our destination.

Right off the gua-gua, we ignored Karla's instructions and bought food from a street vendor. I will probably catch up to Aldo with regards to his previous post, but that stuff is delicious so no regrets! We meandered around the streets until my memory found us at La Zona Colonial. The area was the first populated region on the island and was the site of one of Columbus' landings. Many of the buildings have been renovated but much of the original defense wall is still intact. The area has a feel akin to that of New Orleans, for those of you that have been there.

We took a look at the first cathedral in the new world as well as the first sundial, snapped a picture in front of Diego Colon's (Columbus' brother) house, and continued down the street to be tourists. We made it out of the vendors with only one purchase, Mamajuna, which I will elaborate on in a bit...

Getting back was more of an adventure than getting there. We walked through an area that I would equal to the slums of any major U.S. city. Refuse lined both sides of the streets and people were sleeping in different areas of exposed sidewalk. It is amazing how hard life really is behind the shops and restaurants that tourists see on a regular basis. One more block and most people could see a much more common Dominican Lifestyle. Though poor beyond my wildest conception, the people here are extremely nice and it was a joy for them to point us in the right direction. Another gua-gua got us to our main avenue and we plodded the several blocks home (for exercise...)

Saturday evening was spent on the porch with our friends. We had hot dogs for dinner and talked over glasses of Santo Libre (rum and 7up) until the wee hours and called it a night. If you can't tell, we really like the porch. Unlike the States, people get together every night and share stories and gossip, rather than sit in front of TVs in different rooms. Being out on the porch is not only helping to expand my Spanish, but also my world view.

Today we woke up late and Francisco offered to take us Los Tres Ojos (The Three Eyes), a set of limestone sinkholes just outside the city. It was a very calming and beautiful place, one relatively untouched by modern society. Next we visited the Faro Colon, a massive structure that doubles as a lighthouse and an artistic display. The building is in the shape of a cross and projects a cross-shaped illumination into the sky at night. It is said that the cross can be seen as far away as Puerto Rico. It is rarely used, however, because the amount of power required to operate it drains the surrounding ciy of power.

The rest of the day was spent tossing the baseball or visiting the colmado, a local convenience store that can be found on virtually every street corner. We made friends the first day with Luis and Luis and we see them sitting out front talking every time we stop by. We can sit and share a beer or a coke, learn about the world, and be on our way in just a few minutes.

In the evening Aldo and I sat around and discussed ways to create and market Mamajuana in the States. The drink is an infusion of roots and herbs that is cured in wine then soaked in rum. After a few days of soaking, the rum is ready to drink and packs quite a kick. No two bottles will ever be the same. It is rumored to enhance virility and claims to act as an aphrodisiac. Anyhow, we joked about including elements found commonly in Texas and we have a few ideas to start us off running when we get home.

We are headed to work tomorrow and will be there until Friday (unless a hurricane comes, in that case goodbye). We work in Guayacanes, about an hour from Santo Domingo. The housing development we are working on is in a very poor area and amenities will be basic. That being said, don't expect a post until next weekend. Keep us in your thoughts, as this week will challenge us physically and mentally. We are excited to get on site and work! We promise to drink lots of water and wear sunscreen...